Gerry McGeachye-Discovery Counsel

Gerry McGeachy is e-Discovery Counsel in our Toronto office. He is a litigator, practicing in the areas of e-Discovery, privacy and information governance. Gerry’s approach to information involves managing it proactively to reduce risk, gain insight, and support clear, compelling argument. His practice includes advising on strategic and tactical trial issues including admissibility and the persuasive use of demonstrative evidence.

The Law Society of Ontario recognizes Gerry as a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law. Formerly Crown Counsel for 15 years, he brings extensive trial and appellate experience to his practice. He has particular interest in compliance, sanctions and regulatory investigations. His experience includes carriage of complex conspiracy and fraud cases. Gerry received specialized training in search and seizure law and advice and became a designated Wiretap Agent for the purpose of Part VI of the Criminal Code from 2015 until his departure from the Ministry of the Attorney General.

Gerry’s skill and knowledge in e-Discovery has been recognized by the Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists through the CEDS designation. He regularly provides advice and speaks to groups about the management of electronically stored information and its use in litigation (including prevention of mismanagement or misuse).

Gerry has a keen in interest in risk management and compliance issues. He achieved a CAMS designation in 2015 from the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists, and a CFCS designation from the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists in 2016. Gerry sees the growth of regulation and associated sanctions as key business concerns, reflected domestically in, for example, securities legislation, the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and internationally in legislation such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, and the European General Data Protection Regulation.

His experience dealing with complex production order issues, search warrants and related privacy issues led Gerry to study both the European and Canadian privacy regimes, earning the CIPP/E, CIPP/C and the CIPM (Certified Information Privacy Manager) designations, leading to Gerry being named as a Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals in 2018.

Gerry received the prestigious Prix Excelsior Award in 2014 from the Ministry of the Attorney General in the category of Innovation. He is a founding director of the 5 day course, Technology in Litigation, which continues to run annually for prosecutors in Ontario.

Presenter and panelist, "Admissibility and Use of Demonstrative Evidence", Crown Law Office - Criminal, Ministry of the Attorney General, Toronto, October 27, 2016

Presenter and panelist, "Translating Investigations and Innovations in Evidence Gathering into Effective Trial Presentation", 21st Annual Conference of the International Association of Prosecutors, Dublin, Ireland, September 14, 2016

Presenter, Talking to a Jury Course, "The Use of Visuals at Trial", North Carolina District Attorneys' Association, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, August 25, 2016

Presenter, “Bill C-13 and the New Production Orders”, presented to numerous police services, March 26, 2015

Gerry obtained his Honours BA in Philosophy from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1994 and received his LLB from Queen’s University in 1998. Gerry was called to the bar in 2000. He is a member of the Law Society of Ontario and enjoys contributing to his community by volunteering in various ways including mentoring and organizing educational events for students.

Member, International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (2015 to 2018)

Member, Advocates’ Society, (2014 to present. Joined the executive committee of The Advocates’ Society’s Criminal Law Practice Group in June 2016 and participated in the Ontario Advisory Committee as of October 2017);

Member, Rotary Club of Stirling (2015 to 2017)

Member, Hastings County Law Association (2013 to present)

Past Founder and Member of two chapters of the Ontario Justice Education Network, Kingston-Belleville Area Committee, (2012-14) and the Belleville Area Committee, (2014 to present)